title at stake, revenge, Désiré Doué… Five reasons to follow the Champions Trophy

The first title of the season at stake

It’s not a simple match. The Champions Trophy between Paris SG and AS Monaco, this Sunday afternoon (5:30 p.m.), in Doha (Qatar), is an opportunity for the two teams to win a title, the first of the season. Some Parisians – notably Marquinhos and Achraf Hakimi, to name a few – are certainly used to winning trophies, but this is not the case for their young teammates, like William Pacho, João Neves or Bradley Barcola and Désiré Doué. Same thing on the side of the Rocher formation where few people have a (well) extensive track record. Suffice it to say that the players on both teams should give everything to win.

A clash between the two best French teams of the year 2024

This poster is also a match between the two best French teams of the year 2024. On one side, we find Paris SG, winner of Ligue 1 last season and which is currently the (undisputed) leader of the championship (almost) halfway through this 2024-2025 financial year. Over the last calendar year, Luis Enrique and his players have only experienced… one defeat in the French elite. Impressive. On the other side, there is AS Monaco, second in Ligue 1 in 2023-2024 and which is, for the moment, in third place in the ranking this season. Behind the Rouge et Bleu, the Rocher club is the team with the best record for the year 2024, just ahead of Olympique Lyonnais. This Champions Trophy is therefore the French shock of the moment!

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AS Monaco has revenge to take

It’s definitely still on everyone’s minds. Before going on vacation, AS Monaco hosted Paris SG, in an advanced match of the 16^e day of Ligue 1. And the least we can say is that they did not (really) make the weight, losing quite heavily (2-4). Adi Hütter’s men, after conceding the opener, managed to come back and take the advantage after returning from the locker room but the Parisian offensive talent, notably Ousmane Dembélé, finally made the difference in the final third. of the match. The bill could even have been heavier for the Monegasques if François Letexier had not been lenient towards Wilfried Singo, guilty of an extremely dangerous – even if involuntary – gesture in the face of Gianluigi Donnarumma. It is certain that they will be keen to forget this setback this Sunday.

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Désiré Doué must confirm

After a (very) discreet debut, Désiré Doué (finally) showed all his talent at the end of 2024, both in the Champions League and in Ligue 1. Entered shortly after the hour mark against the RB Salzburg (0-3) in C1, the former Rennais delivered an assist to Nuno Mendes before scoring his first goal in the most beautiful European competition. He then continued with a remarkable performance against Olympique Lyonnais (3-1) in the championship by unlocking the match thanks to an offering for Ousmane Dembélé, then by causing a penalty converted by Vitinha… while being one of the most dangerous players on the field. Against AS Monaco, he did it again by opening the score quite quickly and being at the origin of many Parisian chances. The international hopeful must confirm, at the start of 2025, what he hinted at in December. If he succeeds, there is no doubt that we will see a spectacle.

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The Maghnes Akliouche-Eliesse Ben Seghir duo can change the match

It’s one of the best – if not the best! – offensive duos from Ligue 1. Maghnes Akliouche and Eliesse Ben Seghir, the two nuggets of AS Monaco, should once again start this Sunday afternoon to face Paris SG, the first mentioned on their (usual) right side, the second either on the left wing, or in the axis supporting the center forward. Instinctual players, the two Monegasques are particularly creative and have the ability to change the match at any time with a brilliant inspiration, whether it is a control aimed at eliminating one or more defenders, a breakthrough with the ball, a precise pass behind the defense or a well-felt long shot. It is also for attackers like them that some go to the stadium…or watch the match on their screen.